Emoji — sexual

This theme groups emoji with a sexual charge or suggestion. Young people also use these symbols flirtatiously, jokingly or ironically, and they are not evidence of anything in themselves. Signal value arises when they appear in contact with (much) older people, in exchange for money or goods, under coercion or secrecy, or with minors in a pattern pointing towards sexual exploitation or grooming. Because of that risk to minors, this theme receives the highest urgency as soon as it falls within such a pattern.

A single flirting emoji between peers is usually harmless. Weigh the age difference, the power relationship, whether something is given in return (money, goods, status), and whether coercion, secrecy or a sudden change in behaviour is involved. Sexual emoji sent to or by a minor in combination with money, contact or concealment emoji point more strongly to possible sexual exploitation or grooming.

With signals pointing to sexual exploitation, grooming or explicit content involving a minor: this is acute safety — escalate immediately according to your safety protocol and involve the designated partner organisations.

• Read emoji in clusters and in context — never one symbol as evidence.
• Be alert to age differences, exchange relationships, coercion and secrecy.
• Hold the conversation carefully and without judgement; protect the young person's position and safety.

These meanings are never fixed. Emoji can differ per young person, friendship group, region, platform and context. An emoji is never evidence in itself, but it can be a signal when it fits a broader pattern of language use, behaviour, posts, contacts and offline signals. Use this overview as a tool for identifying signals, not as an instrument of proof.

• emoji_woordenboek.docx (Emoji dictionary, column Emoji / Mogelijke betekenis)